Yesterday the Premier announced a State of Disaster for Victoria commencing at 6pm. Melbourne has also moved to Stage 4 restrictions and regional Victoria (including the Shire of Mitchell) will be on Stage 3 restrictions.
 

Today the Premier expanded further on the restrictions and advised further details will be provided during this week. The restrictions are being implemented to limit the movement of people, and therefore limit the movement of this virus.
 

There will be three lists that will apply during Stage 4 restrictions.

1. Supermarkets, grocery stores, bottle shops, pharmacies, petrol stations, banks, newsagencies, post offices, plus everyone involved in the frontline response, will continue to operate.

2. Industries which will be required to cease operations include retail, some manufacturing and administration. These businesses will all need to close by 11:59pm Wednesday 5 August. Information on industries effected will be provided later in the week.

3. The final list is made up of industries that are permitted to operate but under significantly different conditions. Information on industries effected will be provided later in the week.
 

Warehousing and distribution centres in Melbourne will be limited to no more than two-thirds the normal workforce allowed onsite at any one time.
 

All open businesses and services will have until 11:59pm Friday 7 August to enact a COVIDSafe plan focused on safety, prevention, and response if coronavirus is linked to the workplace. We previously provided information on how to become a COVIDSafe plan and it can be sourced here.

For those businesses that suffer significant losses or need to close due to the current restrictions, the Victorian Government will provide support through expanding the Business Support Fund. Businesses in regional Victoria can apply for a $5,000 grant while those in Melbourne and Mitchell Shire can apply for up to $10,000 in recognition of spending longer under restrictions.
 

ENDS.

Currency Of Information & Disclaimer
This update was issued on 3 August 2020 and please note that changes in circumstances after the publication of material or information may impact upon its accuracy and also change regulatory compliance obligations. The statements, regulatory and technical information contained herein are believed to be accurate and are provided for information purposes only. Readers are responsible for assessing its relevance and verifying the accuracy of the content. To the fullest extent permitted by law, ADIA will not be liable for any loss, damage, cost or expense incurred in relation to or arising as a result of relying on the information presented here.

The recent surge in Coronavirus infections in Victoria has seen the implementation of a six-week stay at home order for the City of Melbourne and the Shire of Mitchell, coming into effect on 8 July. This will affect dental practices and the wider industry. 

Dental practice restrictions at level one
Along with changes to schooling, restaurants and cafes, and health and fitness, this also means a possible rollback to stricter dental practice restrictions. Currently at level one, the Australian Dental Association Victoria Branch (ADAVB) is discussing the possibility of moving to level two with the Chief Medical Officer. You can read requirements for each individual stage here. While still operating at level one, the ADAVB is recommending those practicing in 'hotspot' areas take further precautions. You can read the recommendations and latest news from ADAVB here.

Fair Work updates for Victorian restrictions
For those who need to make changes to their business to accommodate the six-week lockdown, the Fair Work Ombudsman has released further information and resources since the announcement. While much of the information remains the same as last lockdown, it is important to note, provisional laws have been put in place to deal with industrial relations issues since the first lockdown, including pay and leave options during self-isolation.

Victoria - New South Wales border closure
As well as the stay at home order, this week the NSW Government has also elected to close the border between NSW and Victoria. The border between Victoria and South Australia will remain closed also. No exemptions or permissions are currently required to enter Victoria, however, if travelling from Victoria to New South Wales, a permit is required. Read more about permit categories, exemptions and how they apply to your business here.

News from ADIA - Insights Webinar Series
As part of the expansion of our online offering, ADIA is introducing the Insights Webinar Series this month. The webinars are free for members and will be held on the third Tuesday of each month (10am AEST / AEDT).

The ADIA has been very fortunate to book a varied and esteemed line up of speakers for the series.

The first webinar, to be held on Tuesday 21 July, will feature Kaixin Owyong from NAB presenting a 2020 Economic Outlook. Kaixin is an Economist in the Global Markets Research team at NAB. She has a strong track record of translating economic data into clear and insightful analysis.

Webinar 2 - Tuesday 18 August: Tracey Duffy, Therapeutic Goods Administration

Webinar 3 - Tuesday 15 September: The Hon Michaelia Cash, Minister for Employment, Skills, Small and Family Business
Webinar 4 - Tuesday 20 October:
Panel Session "What does the change in Scope of Practice mean for Industry"
Panel includes, DHAA, ADOHTA, ADPA, ADANSW and DAPA

ENDS.

Currency Of Information & Disclaimer
This update was issued on 9 July 2020 and please note that changes in circumstances after the publication of material or information may impact upon its accuracy and also change regulatory compliance obligations. The statements, regulatory and technical information contained herein are believed to be accurate and are provided for information purposes only. Readers are responsible for assessing its relevance and verifying the accuracy of the content. To the fullest extent permitted by law, ADIA will not be liable for any loss, damage, cost or expense incurred in relation to or arising as a result of relying on the information presented here.

 

Along with the Prime Minister's announcements for the general public and business on Friday, the Australian Health Protection Principal Committee, led by Professor Brendan Murphy also announced a roll back to level one restrictions for dental practitioners. This reflects an easing of restrictions on elective surgery, investigations and procedures.

The move was made in light of the current epidemiology and the wider availability of surgical masks and other personal protective equipment. The lighter restriction level will apply to all dental practitioners.

Essentially, this means as long as a patient is deemed not at risk of having or transmitting COVID-19, they can be treated following the usual safety protocols.

Both the AHPPC and the Australian Dental Board outlined this change can only be taken in consultation with any State-based regulations. Where the State regulations are tougher, they will take precedent. The Australian Dental Board will be advising all dental practitioners today.

The Australian Dental Association released a decision tree for level one restrictions on Friday.

We will continue to monitor any changes to the dental industry, along with any news relevant to wider business.

ENDS.

Currency Of Information & Disclaimer

This update was issued on 11 May 2020 and please note that changes in circumstances after the publication of material or information may impact upon its accuracy and also change regulatory compliance obligations. The statements, regulatory and technical information contained herein are believed to be accurate and are provided for information purposes only. Readers are responsible for assessing its relevance and verifying the accuracy of the content. To the fullest extent permitted by law, ADIA will not be liable for any loss, damage, cost or expense incurred in relation to or arising as a result of relying on the information presented here. 

As of Monday 27 April, dentistry has been rolled back to level 2 restrictions. The Prime Minister, in conjunction with the National Cabinet made this announcement at a press conference last week. The restrictions follow the framework presented to the Australian Health Protection Principal Committee (AHPPC) by the Australian Dentistry Association.

Level 2, according to these guidelines allows for the provision of dental treatments that are unlikely to generate aerosols, or where aerosols generated have the presence of minimal saliva or blood due to the use of a rubber dam.

This is great news, and though contingent on the continued availability of PPE, a sign of a gradual return to normal for the dental industry in Australia.

You can read more about Level 2 restrictions, along with the other levels and the rest of the framework for dentistry.

ENDS.

Currency Of Information & Disclaimer

This update was issued on 28 April 2020 and please note that changes in circumstances after the publication of material or information may impact upon its accuracy and also change regulatory compliance obligations. The statements, regulatory and technical information contained herein are believed to be accurate and are provided for information purposes only. Readers are responsible for assessing its relevance and verifying the accuracy of the content. To the fullest extent permitted by law, ADIA will not be liable for any loss, damage, cost or expense incurred in relation to or arising as a result of relying on the information presented here.

If you have registered your interest in the Commonwealth JobKeeper Payment, you should have received news from the Australian Taxation Office that enrolments are now open.

If you intend to make a claim for payments that fall in April, you will need to enrol before the end of the month to ensure you receive payments as early as possible. This step is additional to registering your interest, which we invited you to do when the payments were first announced by the National Cabinet.

There are a few steps involved, along with forms for both employer and employee to fill out, making it necessary for most to start the process now.

To aid in this exercise, we have summarised the steps involved and provided links below.

 

Claiming the JobKeeper Payment on behalf of your employees

1. Eligibility

• Determine the eligibility of your business to participate in the JobKeeper Payment scheme. This includes being able to demonstrate a 30% drop in turnover as a result of COVID-19.
   
• Determine the eligibility of your staff to receive payments. Each employee must have been actively employed in the business on 1 March 2020. They must be older than 16 years of age and not currently receiving any Government payments that conflict with the JobKeeper Payment.
   

2. Enrol

• Contact each employee you plan to nominate. You must ensure they are not nominated through another company, as they can only receive the payment once. Send each employee the JobKeeper Employee nomination notice. This must be returned to you by the end of the month and kept on file.
   
• Enrol the business through the ATO. There are three ways you can do this.
  
  1. Through the ATO Business Portal
  2. Using ATO Online Services through MyGov (for sole traders)
  3. Using a registered tax or BAS agent
  
  Instructions can be found here
   
• Identify and maintain your eligible employees with the ATO. There are a few different ways to do this depending on your payroll software and your number of employees. You can find instructions here.
   
• Make a business monthly declaration. You can do this through your tax agent, or via the ATO Business Portal. Each month you will need to reconfirm your eligible employees as well as make a GST turnover estimate. This is not a means test, but a measure of business progress under the JobKeeper Payment scheme.
   

3. Payments

• Payments will be made to employers via the bank details provided in their enrolment form.
   
• JobKeeper payments are paid to employers in arrears.
   
• Employers must pay their employees (a minimum of $1500 per fortnight) during the applicable pay period and be reimbursed by the ATO. If you are claiming for the two fortnights in April, you will need to ensure your employees are paid the minimum before the end of this month.
   
• In order to remain eligible for the JobKeeper Payment, employers must continue to pay nominated employees a minimum of $1,500 per fortnight, regardless of their normal earnings.
   
• The JobKeeper Payment is considered assessable income for the business receiving the subsidy and normal deductibility rules apply. The payments are not subject to GST.
  
   

 

Important things to note:

To ensure you receive payments as early as possible you should enrol by the end of April. However, enrolments are open until the end of May if you need more time.

If any employees leave your business during the duration of the JobKeeper Payment scheme, you must make the ATO aware. This can be done through the business monthly declaration.

The Federal Government have announced the intention that Superannuation guarantee payments will not be required on JobKeeper Payments. However, these rules are still in development. The ATO will update registered JobKeeper businesses when the changes are made.

If your employees have been stood down and are currently receiving other payments eg. Job Seeker, they must contact Services Australia to let them know you have applied for JobKeeper on their behalf in order to avoid a payable debt.

I will continue to bring relevant information regarding the JobKeeper Payment and any other Government measure as it becomes available.

Should you have a question you would like answered in an update, please send it through here.

 

Currency Of Information & Disclaimer

This update was issued on 21 April 2020 and please note that changes in circumstances after the publication of material or information may impact upon its accuracy and also change regulatory compliance obligations. The statements, regulatory and technical information contained herein are believed to be accurate and are provided for information purposes only. Readers are responsible for assessing its relevance and verifying the accuracy of the content. To the fullest extent permitted by law, ADIA will not be liable for any loss, damage, cost or expense incurred in relation to or arising as a result of relying on the information presented here.

This publication is available for your use under a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Australia licence, with the exception of the ADIA logo, other images and where otherwise stated.